Award-winning American actor Michael E. Knight was born on May 7, 1959 in Princeton, New Jersey. After graduating from the Wesleyan College in Macon, Georgia with a degree in theatre arts, he pursued training at the Circle in the Square Theatre in New York. He started acting in 1982, but only gained popularity a year later, when he joined the cast of the daytime soap All My Children.
Knight joined the cast of the drama as Tad Martin, whose character somehow acts as the representative of the good side. He did not originate the character—it was Matthew Anton who did so in 1973—but he is the actor most synonymous with the role. Starting off as a con artist known as “Tad the Cad,” or a “jerk” as Knight himself called it, he became one of the best-loved and most prominent characters on the show, if not on television. His storylines have been described as full of impact, and his personality, charismatic. His relationship with Dixie Cooney (Cady McClain) is a favorite of the fans, and earned them supercouple status.
Knight left the show in 1986, only to play the role again from 1988 to 1990, and from 1992 onwards. Despite his on-off run, he won three Daytime Emmys and two Soap Opera Digest Awards, and was nominated for a combined twelve more times. He holds the distinction of being the only actor nominated in younger, supporting and lead actor categories while playing the same character.
Knight’s first departure from All My Children in 1986 was because of his intention to pursue other acting projects. In 1987, he made his film debut in the fantasy comedy Date with an Angel, and during the time he also played several guest roles on television. He also acted for stage, having appearing in several off-Broadway productions.